How to Ensure Rapid Productivity Growth?
What should you do when you lack the strength and energy but need a quick solution for urgent deadlines and tasks? The most popular answer worldwide is to have a cup of coffee. Yes, it works—caffeine is the most widely used stimulant globally. However, it has its drawbacks:
- Its effect comes on too abruptly and doesn't last long.
- There's a noticeable crash afterward.
- Overdo it, and you'll experience tremors, anxiety, and irritability.
- Sometimes, there's plenty of energy, but it comes with a loss of focus.
Stimulating neurons isn't difficult. The challenge is to maintain a balance between adequate productivity and draining energy. Gentle nourishment for the central nervous system is provided by the synthesis of the following plant-based elements.
Guarana
There's an excellent alternative to caffeine - guarana. In fact, this plant enhances concentration and focus with minimal caffeine side effects. This meta-analysis demonstrates its safety and effectiveness. Guarana originates from South America and contains a high concentration of guaranine. Guaranine is similar to caffeine but offers a gentler, gradual, and longer-lasting effect.
Guarana has a comprehensive effect on the body due to its combination of active elements, including catechin, epicatechin, epicatechin gallate, caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline. These substances participate in restorative processes, gently stimulate the central nervous system, aid in fat breakdown, and remove lactic acid from muscles. The study indicates that guarana contains a high concentration of these elements.
Additionally, regular consumption of guarana positively impacts the body. It reduces oxidative stress, accelerates metabolism, and aids in weight loss. Nevertheless, guarana remains a stimulant.
L-Theanine
L-Theanine is sourced from green tea. This component acts as an antioxidant, protecting against free radicals and acting as a stress protector. It improves mood and gently relaxes the central nervous system. Furthermore, L-Theanine contributes to stress reduction, enhancing focus. Together with guarana, it synergizes, providing a gentle boost for the brain while minimizing stimulation side effects.
Cordyceps
This fungus gained recognition after Chinese athletes' victories at the Olympics. Although scientists have studied Cordyceps since the 1940s, its impact on endurance and physical performance was recently revealed.
The first study focused on the fungus's restorative qualities. Cordyceps doesn't deplete the body's resources but instead increases the efficiency of external resources. This led to improved physical productivity in elderly individuals. The experimental group was compared to a control group and a placebo group. Cordyceps has been proven to enhance physical strength and endurance.
The second study examined the fungus's rejuvenating effects, particularly on the sexual system of elderly organisms. Rats artificially aged with d-galactose were used for the study. By comparing control, experimental, and placebo groups, scientists confirmed the fungus's rejuvenating effect and its positive influence on the sexual system.
Consequently, Cordyceps functions as a stimulator of physical performance. While guarana and L-Theanine affect cognitive functions, Cordyceps enhances physical endurance. Together, all components provide the body with a short-term increase in all performance indicators.
The Synergistic Effect: Caffeine and L-Theanine, Forever Brothers
Individually, caffeine and L-Theanine have their drawbacks when used to enhance cognitive performance.
Caffeine does indeed improve cognitive functions, but it comes with numerous side effects like tremors, nervousness, and a rapid crash followed by drowsiness.
On the other hand, L-Theanine has a relaxing effect, alleviates tension, and improves focus, but it has no impact on other cognitive functions. While it's often positioned as a nootropic, there's no substantial research to support this claim. However, when combined, these substances produce fascinating effects. In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, participants were given caffeine (150 mg) and L-Theanine (250 mg) separately and together.
Here's what happened:
- L-Theanine increased the subjective feeling of "mental fatigue" but worsened math test results.
- Caffeine sped up reaction times, improved the accuracy of rapid visual information processing (RVIP), and reduced the subjective "mental fatigue."
Caffeine+L-Theanine, however, showed remarkable results:
- Enhanced RVIP.
- Accelerated reaction times.
- Improved working memory reaction times.
- Enhanced accuracy in sentence verification.
Indicators of "mental fatigue" decreased, and the sense of "alertness" increased significantly. There was also substantial positive interaction between caffeine and L-Theanine in the recognition word delayed reaction time.
Another placebo-controlled study confirmed that the caffeine-Theanine combination significantly enhances neurophysiological markers of improved focus compared to caffeine and L-Theanine individually.
While both components are present in regular tea, achieving the desired effect is challenging because you would need to consume around 10 cups of tea to get the optimal Theanine dose. This would result in an excessive caffeine intake, leading to tremors and a complete reduction in your productivity.
Therefore, the best option is to take them in their pure form in a balanced dosage.